Giving birth, for many women, is a moment you will never forget.
For most women, it is a safe uncomplicated delivery followed by the beautiful moment you meet your baby. Regardless of how you gave birth, the following days, weeks and months are a time for your body to recover from pregnancy and the delivery.
Your body has undergone several major changes over the last 9 – 10 months and now your baby is here you need to focus on caring for your new addition and also looking after your physical and mental health.
Here are some common things to expect after delivering your baby.
10 Things to expect when your baby arrives: #1 Belly Cramps
Soon after giving birth, you may feel period-like cramps in your stomach as the uterus begins to shrink in size. Of course, throughout your pregnancy, your uterus grew with your baby, so as you recover from birth expect to feel light to moderate cramping in your abdomen.
If you are breastfeeding, you may feel these cramps more strongly as breastfeeding triggers your uterus to contract and shrink quicker. However, if you feel that the cramps are too strong then speak to your doctor who will be able to check you and offer pain relief if needed.
#2 Deflated Tummy
After giving birth expect your tummy to look a little deflated. You might even still look pregnant as it takes time for your tummy and uterus to shrink back down to size.
It will take time for your body to adjust to the new normal and release all the fluids you were carrying for your baby. During pregnancy, your blood level is increased, so it will take time for your body to adjust to its pre-pregnancy blood level. Over the next 6 weeks, you can expect your stomach to visibly reduce in size.
10 Things to expect when your baby arrives: #3 Bleeding Post-birth
It is normal to expect heavy bleeding, known as lochia after you give birth, as your womb sheds the lining and any additional fluids you needed during pregnancy.
You can expect to bleed for up to 4 – 6 weeks post birth and the first few days will be quite heavy. As your body needs to shed blood and fluids it is not advised to use a tampon, as this could increase the risk of infection, so you should use thick maternity pads, which despite their unglamorous appearance, you will be grateful for post-birth.
Monitor closely how much blood you are passing, especially in the first 24 hours, and don’t be afraid to discuss this with your midwife or healthcare advisor. Although many hospitals provide maternity pads, it is a good idea to pack some maternity pads in your hospital bag and ensure you have a supply at home.
#4 Bladder incontinence
After a vaginal birth, you may notice some incontinence when you laugh, cough, or sneeze for the first few days. This is because the muscles in your pelvis and bladder have been stretched and will take time to recover.
If you have had an epidural or spinal block during your delivery, you may struggle to feel the need to urinate until the anesthetic has fully worn off, after a couple of days this should have gone back to normal.
However, it is common for women to experience incontinence for up to three months after giving birth. If you are experiencing incontinence after birth you should talk to your doctor or healthcare provider who will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
It might be advisable to seek out a pelvic floor specialist for specialist advice as often doing pelvic floor exercises can cause more issues if they are not the right exercise for your situation.
10 Things to expect when your baby arrives: #5 Bowel Movements
Going to the toilet for a bowel movement after birth can be a difficult task and can be painful if you have had a c-section or if you have peritoneal stitches.
Bowel movements can be difficult, especially if you have had a c-section as the muscles in your abdomen will be recovering from the surgery. Ask your midwife for a laxative if they have not already given you one and make sure you drink plenty of water and eat fruit after giving birth to help loosen up your bowels.
Applying light pressure to your c-section wound during a bowel movement can help to ease the pain.
Know that going to the bathroom will get easier as you recover and within a week things will feel easier for most women.
Giving birth: end of part 1
We hope you find this first part of our series “Giving birth: 10 things to expect when baby arrives”.
Ready for the second part?